Beijing International Film Festival launches screening program

The 15th Beijing International Film Festival launched its screening program on Friday, showcasing a diverse selection of nearly 300 outstanding films from China and around the world.

The screenings, which take place from April 18 to 27, feature 18 curated programs with approximately 900 showings.

Film enthusiasts can enjoy this cinematic showcase at 33 partner cinemas and one immersive cinema across the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, held alongside the festival's main events.

"I first attended in 2018. This year I'm seeing the most films. I've already bought 20 tickets," said Zhang Jierui, an avid moviegoer.

Building on the successful experiences of previous years, this year's program introduces innovative thematic sections and special curations to commemorate the 130th anniversary of the first film in the world and the 120th anniversary of the first Chinese film.

"We've already secured 16 of the latest films from the recent Berlin International Film Festival for inclusion in this year's Beijing Film Festival screening program," said Lin Siwei, deputy secretary-general of the Beijing International Film Festival Organizing Committee.

The central parity rate of the Chinese currency renminbi, or the yuan, strengthened 20 pips to 7.0108 against the U.S. dollar Monday, according to the China Foreign Exchange Trade System.

In China's spot foreign exchange market, the yuan is allowed to rise or fall by 2 percent from the central parity rate each trading day.

The central parity rate of the yuan against the U.S. dollar is based on a weighted average of prices offered by market makers before the opening of the interbank market each business day.